College!

Since I was little, I've always wanted to attend the University of Florida for several reasons. My parents went there and I was born and raised to be a die-hard Florida Gator fan. Once I got to high school and had a serious reality check, I realized that UF was way out of my league. In today's economy, all of the budget cuts don't allow as many kids to get into a university and more and more kids are attending community college.

After visiting a few different campuses such as University of Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Florida, and Florida State, my choice was so clear to me. A school that I once despised as a rival of my home team, would soon be the school I'd attend. When I saw FSU, I fell in love right then and there. But of course, I could never get into FSU but I'm fortunate enough to have parents who believe in me enough and are willing to let me attend Tallahassee Community College for two years and then transfer to FSU. So starting in the fall, I'll have my own apartment in the heart of Tallahassee, seven hours away from the city I've always lived in.

I'll actually only be 17 by the time I move away, and a lot of my friends are so terrified when they think about how things are going to be without mommy and daddy there, but not I. I have never been reliant on my parents unless its for money, which I also partly earn myself. Other than that, I know how to cook, clean, and do laundry. Living seven hours away from my parents actually doesn't scare me at all.

When you visit "Tally", you'll soon realize that there's a lot of partying that goes on there, certainly more than any other school. But my parents have always given me all the freedom in the world, so by now I totally know how to control myself and keep a steady balance between work and play. Plus, I'm so eager to get accepted to FSU that I have a goal to work for.